Date: 1691

"In the Chimney lies one whistling, another gaping, another swearing and cursing, and all of them in such a Tempest of Imagination, that had not the Master of the House interpos'd his Authority, and seasonably assum'd the Office of Master of the supposed Pinnace, commanding all hands down in the ...

— Dunton, John (1659–1732)

Date: 1759

"Imlac was delighted to find that the sage's understanding was breaking through its mists, and resolved to detain him from the planets till he should forget his task of ruling them, and reason should recover its original influence."

— Johnson, Samuel (1709-1784)

Date: 1762

"One only hope remains, that you, my first and dearest friend, will not abandon me; that whatever cloud of melancholy may hang over my mind, yet you will still bear with me, and remove your abode to a place where I may have the consolation of your company."

— Scott [née Robinson], Sarah (1720-1795)

Date: 1763

"The once smiling scene has a melancholy gloom, which strikes a damp through my inmost soul."

— Brooke [née Moore], Frances (bap. 1724, d. 1789)